Drug Use in the Ancient World

Evidence of drug use in the ancient world is diverse, including archaeological artefacts, ancient writings, and occasionally, preserved human remains.?

Worldwide, archaeological sites have unveiled tools for the preparation, storage, and use of various substances, such as pipes, containers, and grinding implements, alongside ancient plant remnants, like cannabis seeds found in Scythian burial sites.

Cave paintings and artefacts from prehistoric times often depict scenes that some researchers interpret as being related to shamanic practices or altered states of consciousness.

Many ancient civilisations regarded psychotropic plants as food sources. These plants were often used to prevent hunger and increase energy where food resources were scarce. For instance, the betel nut (Areca catechu), used by inhabitants of Timor approximately 13,000 years ago, and in Thailand around 10,700 years ago, was not just merely psychoactive but also a nutritional source providing vitamins, minerals, and proteins essential for survival in austere conditions.

Ancient use of psychotropic substances involved sophisticated methods of administration. Substances like nicotine and coca leaf were often mixed with alkali substances, such as wood or lime ash, creating a freebase that facilitated the diffusion of the drug into the bloodstream through the buccal cavity within the cheek. Archaeological records have provided us with alkali paraphernalia across various regions, offering insights into the widespread and standardised practices of drug administration among ancient peoples.?

Sumer:

The Sumerians, one of the earliest civilisations who inhabited the region of present-day Iraq, used opium. The cultivation and utilisation of opium poppies, referred to as Hul Gil, translated to "the joy plant," is documented in their cuneiform scripts dating back to approximately 3400 BCE. Sumerians discovered that when the poppy pod was scored, it exuded a milky substance (opium latex), which could be collected, dried, and then used for various purposes such as pain relief.

Vedic India:

Sanskrit-composed, ancient Vedic texts provide a window into the spiritual and socio-cultural practices of early Indo-Aryan civilisations. Prominent among these practices was the use of an elixir named "Soma," deeply interwoven with the ritualistic and religious life of the Vedic people. Although the exact composition of Soma remains a mystery to historians and botanists, descriptions in texts allude to its intoxicating and psychedelic properties, giving users divine visions, remarkable strength, and heightened senses.

Egypt:

Ancient Egyptians recognised the medicinal properties of certain drugs, employing blue lotus flowers as a mild sedative and cannabis as a treatment for various conditions, such as inflammation. The Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical document, makes notable references to its varied applications.

Greece:

The ancient Greeks, renowned for their profound contributions to art, literature, and philosophy, also explored altered states of consciousness. One of the most notable examples of this exploration was in the context of the Eleusinian Mysteries, an annual initiation ceremony for the cult of Demeter and Persephone held in Eleusis.

Central to these mysteries was the consumption of a special drink called kykeon. Participants would fast and then consume this beverage, after which they were said to witness spectacular visions. While the exact ingredients of kykeon remain a topic of debate among historians and botanists, some propose that it might have contained naturally occurring psychedelic substances, possibly derived from ergot, a fungus that grows on grains and can have hallucinogenic effects when consumed.

Rome:

By the 2nd century AD, the medicinal use of opium had not only been established in Greece but had also permeated throughout the Roman Empire. Physicians and citizens, influenced by Greek medical knowledge and practices, turned to opium for various applications. This included easing the pain of physical injuries, ensuring calm and peaceful sleep, and even employing it in various surgical procedures as an anaesthetic.

Galen of Pergamon, a prominent Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher in the Roman Empire, was a strong advocate for the use of opium in medical practice. His extensive documentation and advocacy for the therapeutic use of opium were integral in legitimising and propelling its usage throughout the Roman Empire.

Gladiators may have turned to drugs like strychnine to stave off fatigue and to combat injury. Though exact evidence for pain management amongst gladiators is not comprehensively documented, it is plausible, given their profession, that substances such as opium were used for pain relief.

Drug Use and Trade:

Beer and wine, often infused with other intoxicants, were popular across many ancient cultures. In China, the elite indulged in opium for leisure, and cannabis was popular in the Middle East. These substances weren't merely about the high; they were a symbol of status and luxury.

The Silk Road wasn't just about silks and spices. It was also a channel for the drug trade. The opium poppy, native to the Mediterranean, found its way to Asia. As empires expanded and trade routes flourished, the commercial aspect of psychoactive drugs did also. By the time of the Roman Empire, the drug trade was a lucrative business, connecting distant lands and cultures.

To be continued...

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